Arsenal could feel the heat. Back-to-back home defeats in the domestic cups had seen to that. One has pushed them to the brink of elimination in the Carabao Cup before the semi-final second leg at Newcastle. The other on penalties against Manchester United in the FA Cup was terminal.
Mikel Arteta’s team could also sense opportunity. Liverpool’s draw at Nottingham Forest had seen to that. So the equation was clear. Manage the occasion against the team they most love to hate. And win to move to within four points of Liverpool at the top, albeit having played an extra game.
